Daniel Talley

LB/DB / Colorado

Ed Hunt:  How did it feel out there today during your Pro Day?

Daniel Talley:  That’s the best I’ve felt.  We put in like ten weeks at the facility.  Rep those drills every day.  Came out here, body is feeling fresh.  I felt like I ran a fast 40, fast L, fast 5-10-5 in both position drills, both safety and linebacker.

Ed Hunt:  You’ve definitely got the speed.  Can you give me your 40 time and L time?

Daniel Talley:  Today, from what I heard, I was anywhere between a 4.51 and a 4.58 in my 40.  My shuttle time was in the high 4.1’s or 4.2’s.  I think the three-cone was in the 6.8s.

Ed Hunt:  Can you talk about the buff position for our fans?

Daniel Talley:  Basically, it is a big nickel.  Our defensive back body will come in and play outside linebacker.  Just more athletic types, so I could just be supporting the run because I’m big enough or strong enough to come fill the outside or force the edge.  Or I can drop back into the flats and make something in the flat or go, so I’m athletic enough to guard the slot.

Ed Hunt:  Who is the best tight end you’ve covered in the PAC 12?

Daniel Talley: I think Brady Russell is one of them and he plays here.  We played Jake Butt when he was at Michigan in 2016.  So, in terms of tight ends, he’s the most talented I’ve faced.

Ed Hunt:  Did you face the tight end, #1 from Washington, Hunter Bryant?

Daniel Talley:  Oh yeah, we did.  We did!

Ed Hunt:  How did you do against him?

Daniel Talley:  Good!  I think we shut him down.  They’re a good team.  They run the ball a lot and they’re well coached.

Ed Hunt:  Did you play any other sports in high school?

Daniel Talley:  I played a little bit of basketball and I ran track for a year.  I got so big.  I didn’t want to run or nothing for fun.  I played basketball for two and I played football for all four.  And football was like my love.  I stuck with that.

Ed Hunt:  What’re your biggest strengths?

Daniel Talley:  I would say my biggest strengths is my strength.  I am 217-218 and I put up 23 on the 225 press today.  I’m physical, I love to hit and I come down in the box with a big build body.  I’m athletic.  I can get around blocks fast.  I use my physicality when I need to.

Ed Hunt:  What was one thing you were trying to show the scouts here?

Daniel Talley:  That I can play football.  I tore my ACL the last game of my senior season and so I got that repaired in December of 2018 and I was off my feet for a long time.  I never got to come out here and show everybody I can play football.  I wanted to show the scouts that I am versatile enough to play linebacker and I have fluid enough hips, feet and speed to catch the ball.

Ed Hunt:  Can you talk to me about pre-snap?  Reading the run, reading the pass, what goes through your head?

Daniel Talley:  One of the biggest things is we have to read our keys.  If I’m at the BUFF position, I’m usually lining up at the apex which is off the inside receiver there or the inside of the receiver’s foot.  I’m looking straight-down the box to the tackle box, we’re reading the hi low read.  Either like a run or a pass given my initial read.  If I get the pass read, my eyes are snapping back, usually the slot and I’m hanging him trying to get my hands on him.  Trying to help out the safety a little bit.  They just don’t get a nine right off the seam.  I have to cover guys that can run 4.2s.  And then if it’s a run, I’m shuffling in place, taking my inside arm and keeping my outside arm free.

Ed Hunt:  Have any scouts came to talk to you yet?

Daniel Talley:  A couple of scouts came to talk to me after the linebacker drills and they were just saying things like big safeties come down here and guard tight ends and running backs.  I just said that I’ll do whatever you want me to do for the team.  I’ll do anything.  Special teams, defense, outside linebacker, safety and DB.  I just want to play football.

Ed Hunt:  What roles have you played here on special teams at CU?

Daniel Talley:  Oh, I’ve played everything.  I played the four, the five and the two on kickoffs.  I play inside on punt mainly on rushing the punt.  I play guard and tackle and gunner on our punt and on punt block.  And then on kick return, I play the front line or the back wedge.

Ed Hunt:  So, you’re a four-phase special teamer?

Daniel Talley:  Yeah, I do all special teams.  That’s what my specialty is.  I’m good on special teams.

Ed Hunt:  Did you have a favorite team growing up?

Daniel Talley:  Oh, ah, the Vikings.

Ed Hunt:  Are you from Minnesota?

Daniel Talley:  No, my dad is just a Vikings fan.  That’s how I was raised.

Ed Hunt:  Where did you play for high school?

Daniel Talley:  Regis Jesuit High School.

Ed Hunt:  So, you’re a local kid?

Daniel Talley:  Definitely, born and raised in Colorado.

Ed Hunt:  Do you know what star recruit you were out of high school?

Daniel Talley:  Oh no, I was at a D-II school before I came here.  I walked on here and then earned a scholarship.

Ed Hunt:  What school did you play before Colorado?

Daniel Talley:  CSU Pueblo.

Ed Hunt:  Where you a national champion there?

Daniel Talley:  Yeah!  I was!  I was a 2014 National Champion there.  Then after that I wanted to see in my heart if I could play D-I.  I walked on here and tried out.  Mack was still the head coach, and I earned a scholarship.

Ed Hunt:  Is there something you are grateful for with Mel Tucker?  Can you tell me what it is?

Daniel Talley:  Oh, I never played for Mel Tucker, but the thing I am grateful for is that he allowed me to come to the Pro Day.  When I was up here, I talked to him because I tore my ACL and he came to the senior banquet when I was a senior.  I told him my story and I said I tore my ACL in the Cal game in the fourth quarter and I can’t do the Pro Day this year.  I’m back next year to do it in May and he was like for sure, I’m going to set that up.